Cleaner for optical lenses and the like



April 7,1959 G. RUSHING, JR 2,880,441

' CLEANER FOR OPTICAL LENSES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 28, 1956 IN VENTOR BYWQQW ATTORNEYS United States Patent() 2,880,441 CLEANER FOR OPTICAL LENSES AND THE LIKE George Rushing, Jr., Little Rock, Ark.

Application December 28, 1956, Serial No. 631,270

2 Claims. (Cl. 15-214) This invention relates to a cleaner for optical lenses and the like, for example, eyeglasses, spectacles, telescopes, field glasses, and any similar items, of which it becomes necessary or desirable to wipe, polish, or clean the lenses. More especially, the invention is concerned with a device of the kind described, which can be safely, conveniently and easily carried on the person, without undue weight or bulk, and wherein the cleaner element is protected at all times until its use is desired.

The invention contemplates a device which can be quickly and easily folded and closed into a compact unit and as readily opened and extended for use and carried handily in a pocket of the users clothing.

In general, the device of this invention is composed of only a few elements, but functionally consists of an arm to hold a cleaner element, a handle portion, a receptacle to receive and store the cleaner element, a spring means to hold the device in a closed or open position, means whereby the cleaner element can be held or replaced, a means to readily grasp the device to open and close the same, and a means to position the device in the hand for use.

Various objects and advantages will be apparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings forming a part hereof.

-In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the device in fully open operative position and as it would be grasped in the hand of the user, the hand being shown in dotted lines and a lens also shown in dotted lines to indicate the application of the device to clean the lens.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the device in fully closed position, a portion being broken away to show certain details of construction.

Figure 3 is a top plan view.

The invention is comprised of a handle portion 10, hollowed out as at 11, having integrally secured thereto at one end 12, a cup-like receiver or protector 14 for the cleaning element 15 which is mounted within retainers 16 of resilient spring-like material, secured by spot welding or other suitable means to a finger plate 17 carried on the end 18 of an arm 19 which is pivotally secured as at 20 at its other end 21 with the handle at the end 22 of the latter opposite from the end 12. Secured to the finger plate 17 is a gasket 23 of rubber or other suitable material. When the arm 19 is swung over to the closed position shown in Figure 2, the gasket 23 will provide a dust, dirt and moisture seal between the plate 17 and the edge 24 of the cup 14.

The handle 10 includes a spring element 25 similar in construction and action to a common pocket-knife blade spring, whereby when the arm 19 is brought out to the extended position, the spring 25 bears against the end 21 to maintain the extended position and whereby when the arm 19 is swung over to the closed position, the spring 25 bears against the end 21 to maintain the arm 19 in the closed position, at the same time exerting pressure to cause Patented Apr. 7,1959

2 the seal to be effective between the plate 17 and the edge 24 of the cup 14.

The arm 19, adjacent the plate 17, has an enlarged por tion 26 to provide a means to grasp the arm between the fingers to move the arm to open position.

The plate 17 is of shape and dimensions so that the sur. face 27 thereof provides a convenient abutment surface for the forefinger of the user of the device as illustrated in Figure 1. The enlarged portion 26 on the arm 19 also serves as a convenient means for grasping the arm between the thumb and middle finger as shown in Figure 1. In the open position of use of the device as illustrated in Figure 1, the cup or receiver will fit in the hollow of the hand against the base of the latter. Consequently, it will be seen that the device is so constructed as to be easily held in one hand in such manner that any desired extent of pressure can be exerted against the surface of a lens to be cleaned, leaving the other hand free to hold the spectacles or other object being cleaned or polished.

It will be noted that the cleaning element 15 which may be felt or other suitable cleaning or polishing material is readily removable and replaceable but is held firmly by the retainers 16, against accidental displacement. Furthermore, the cleaner 15 is shaped so as to have a wide surface 28 which both provides a good cleaning surface area and a protection against accidental contact of the retainers 16 against the lens being cleaned. The element 15 may, if desired, be comprised wholly or partially of, or impregnated with silicone or be impregnated with other desired lens cleaning or polishing agents.

When the device is in the collapsed position, the cleaner element is fully protected from contamination and against contaminating the hand or pocket in which it may repose.

It will be obvious that to use the device, the arm is grasped by the means provided for that purpose, extended fully, the device held in the hand as described and as shown in Figure 1, and the cleaner applied to the lens. When through with use of the device, the arm is brought over to the closed position and the cleaner element is sealed in the cup.

The cup need not necessarily be of the configuration shown although this is desirable since in the manner illustrated, there are no sharp edges or projections and the device can then more safely be carried in the hand or in a pocket. Likewise, various materials might be utilized as might be found suitable in making all or any parts of the device so it does not necessarily have to be made of metal which is generally preferable as being most rugged.

The device is practically indestructible in ordinary use and the cleaner elements may be replaced periodically as needed or various kinds thereof interchanged according to what is found most suitable or desirable for a specific job of cleaning.

Having thus described the invention, it will be understood that various changes, modification and improvements may be resorted to, all within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What 1 claim is:

1. A lens cleaning device comprising an elongated handle member having a longitudinally extending slot formed therein, a cup-shaped receiver integrally secured to one end of said handle, an elongated arm having an outwardly flaring enlarged portion adjacent one end thereof, said arm having the other end thereof pivotally secured to the other end of said handle, a plate integrally formed on said one end of said arm, said flaring portion adjacent said plate overlying said slot and extending laterally beyond said handle to form a gripping portion, a plurality of resilient retainers fixedly secured to one side of said plate and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom in spaced apart relation, a cleaning element releasably gripped between said retainers, a bulbous end portion integrally formed on one end of said cleaning element, said bulbous end portion overlying the ends of said retainers opposite said plate, and spring means in said handle for resiliently locking said arm selectively in extended and in folded position with respect to said handle, said spring means biasing said plate toward said receiver when said arm is in folded position.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retainers have overturned or rolled free edges backing up said bulbous end portion whereby said edges will not scratch the surface of a lens in the event of accidental contact therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

